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- Tasks: Lead innovative mechanical designs for life-saving aerospace technology.
- Company: Join Martin-Baker, the global leader in ejection seat manufacturing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a chance to save lives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aerospace engineering while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering and experience in regulated environments.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities to mentor and grow.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Denham
Martin-Baker is the world’s leading manufacturer of ejection and crashworthy seats, saving over 7,805 lives to date. We combine cutting-edge engineering with a clear mission: protecting aircrew around the world. We are now recruiting a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to join the Mechanical Engineering team at our Denham site.
The Role: As a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer, you will be responsible for delivering robust, compliant, and commercially viable mechanical designs across the full product lifecycle — from concept through development, qualification, production, and in-service support. You will work closely within Integrated Project Teams to ensure engineering outputs meet regulatory, customer, and internal requirements, while optimising manufacturability, safety, and performance. You will also support design reviews, drive continual improvement across products and processes, and have responsibility for signing off engineering drawings to ensure correctness, functionality, and compliance with best practice.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop top-level layouts, 3D models, and detailed engineering drawings.
- Sign off engineering drawings and documents for correctness, functionality, and compliance with best practice.
- Ensure designs meet all applicable regulatory requirements, including CAA regulations and CE marking requirements, and contribute to the preparation and maintenance of CE technical files.
- Translate customer, regulatory, and internal requirements into robust engineering specifications.
- Participate in trade studies to identify optimal, commercially viable design solutions.
- Perform performance and structural calculations using hand methods, spreadsheets, and FEA tools.
- Generate and maintain engineering documentation including BOMs, DFMEAs, load/stress reports, tolerance analyses, and CE technical files.
- Support trial installations, customer visits, and design reviews.
- Conduct clearance, interchangeability, retrofit, and modification analyses.
- Identify and drive continual improvement opportunities across products, processes, and engineering practices.
- Proactively identify and mitigate risks to safety, performance, quality, and delivery.
- Mentor and motivate junior engineers, sharing knowledge and best practice to help the team deliver high-quality engineering outcomes.
- Support the design, development, and integration of Electromechanical Systems (EMS) used within ejection seat mechanisms and associated subsystems, ensuring robust, safe, and compliant operation across the full product lifecycle.
- Design, specify, and improve Ground Support Equipment (GSE) used for assembly, handling, testing, and maintenance activities, ensuring compatibility with electromechanical and safety-critical systems.
- Ensure EMS and GSE solutions meet all applicable safety, regulatory, and certification requirements, supporting qualification and test activities through to in-service use.
Essential:
- Degree (1st or 2:1) in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent experience).
- Chartered Engineer or working towards CEng.
- Extensive experience in mechanical design within aerospace, defence, or regulated engineering environments.
- Expertise in 3D CAD tools (e.g., NX) and producing high-quality engineering drawings.
- Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and design for manufacture and assembly.
- Experience conducting structural and performance calculations, including FEA.
Principal Mechanical Design Engineer employer: Martin-Baker Aircraft Co Ltd
Contact Detail:
Martin-Baker Aircraft Co Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Design Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the aerospace and engineering sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to mechanical design and engineering principles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you showcase your experience effectively!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your portfolio! Bring along examples of your previous work, like 3D models or engineering drawings, to interviews. This gives you a chance to demonstrate your skills and thought process, making you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission at Martin-Baker.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Mechanical Design Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Mechanical Design Engineer role. Highlight your experience in mechanical design, especially in aerospace or regulated environments, and showcase your expertise with 3D CAD tools like NX.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past projects and how they align with our mission of protecting aircrew. Don't forget to express your enthusiasm for joining our team!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, be sure to highlight your technical skills, especially in structural calculations and FEA. We want to see how you can contribute to our engineering outputs and drive continual improvement across products and processes.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Martin-Baker Aircraft Co Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your mechanical design principles, especially in aerospace and defence. Familiarise yourself with the specific regulations and standards mentioned in the job description, like CAA regulations and CE marking requirements. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but that you genuinely understand the industry.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous projects in detail, particularly those involving 3D CAD tools and engineering drawings. Be ready to explain how you've contributed to design reviews and driven improvements in past roles. Use specific examples to illustrate your problem-solving skills and how you've ensured compliance and safety in your designs.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so come armed with insightful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and the company's approach to continual improvement. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer, you'll be expected to mentor junior engineers. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and any experiences where you've successfully guided a team or project. Highlight your ability to motivate others and share knowledge, as this is crucial for the role.